A star-studded haven for modern day metal and rock

There seems to be a unanimous consensus nowadays that rock is dying, or at least the specific hard rock sound that reigned in the ‘80s. Luckily, artists like Nita Strauss have taken this matter into their own hands through successful continuation of the genre. The Call of the Void is a perfect example of this, meshing nostalgic familiarity with a 2023 studio polish, ultimately redefining what it means to rock. With recruitment of notable artists including Megadeth’s former Marty Friedman, longtime collaborator Alice Cooper and the world-renowned band Disturbed, Strauss was able to craft the perfect album.

The Call of the Void begins with the eerie opening track “Summer Storm,” an impressive showcasing of Strauss’s raw musical talent. This piece is technical, loud and emotive. Guitar riffs melt through the speakers, carried by strong waves of drumming, bass and rhythm guitar. The album then moves forth with “The Wolf You Feed,” featuring Canadian singer Alissa White-Gluz, a true testament to metal as shown through the heavy hitting vocals and intense instrumentation presented throughout the track.

“Through The Noise” with Lzzy Hale is an exceptionally powerful song, containing catchy vocals as well as an extremely tight rhythm section to back the intricate lyrics. This track is simple in the way it is arranged and structured, yet interwoven with intelligent, complex arrangements, all working together to achieve a high sense of listenability. The mix is coherent, meaningful and easy to follow despite the vast amounts of layering bestowed upon the speakers.

The Alice Cooper track, “Winner Takes All,” is impeccable as expected, a haunting exhibition into the popular singer’s mind, all put together with a sense of urgency to feed the masses. This energy seeps into the next song “Monster,” with Lilith Czar, which takes a more modern approach, sonically familiar to present day alternative metal. The Disturbed collaboration is also worth mentioning, as it sounds immensely authentic and personable to the artists involved, bringing in a wide range of audiences to appreciate Strauss’s most recent musical milestone.

Overall, this album is intense, fast-paced and visual despite it being strictly an auditory piece of art. Nita Strauss collaborated perfectly throughout The Call of the Void, producing magic at a fundamental level. Listeners from all over can come together to appreciate this project, signaling its greatness despite today’s delicate existence of modern day rock. This collection of tunes is most definitely a must-listen as Strauss does not shy away from cultivating a transcendent listening experience from front to back of The Call of the Void.